Shloka 4
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
त्रिवर्गों हि समासक्तो राजधर्मेषु कौरव । मोक्षधर्मश्ष विस्पष्ट: सकलो<त्र समाहित:
trivargo hi samāsakto rājadharmeṣu kaurava | mokṣadharmaś ca vispaṣṭaḥ sakalo ’tra samāhitaḥ ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “O Kaurava, sa mga tungkulin ng paghahari, ang tatlong layunin ng buhay—dharma, artha, at kāma—ay magkakabigkis at masiglang gumaganap. At malinaw din na ang buong aral tungkol sa paglaya (mokṣa-dharma), sa ganap nitong anyo, ay nakapaloob dito sa rāja-dharma.”
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Rāja-dharma is not merely political technique; it integrates the full spectrum of human aims (dharma, artha, kāma) and can also encompass the principles that lead toward mokṣa. Ethical governance is presented as a comprehensive discipline with spiritual depth.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and ethics, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a Kuru elder/kinsman and frames the discussion: the science of kingship contains within it both worldly responsibilities and the broader moral-spiritual teachings, including those oriented to liberation.